Webinar this Week! Convention 101: Navigating the NAEA26 Experience

This year, the National Art Education Association’s national convention is in Chicago, bringing together art educators from across the country for three inspiring days, March 5–7. Teachers, artists, leaders, and advocates will converge to share ideas, celebrate creative practice, and engage in meaningful professional learning that strengthens art education nationwide. 

The convention will also feature a remarkable trifecta of keynote artists—Bisa Butler, Yvette Mayorga, and Jeffrey Gibson—alongside so many incredible presentations, workshops, meetings, and museum events. The local artist series is chalk full of the finest contemporary artists in the Chicago area: Shannon Downey, Riva Lehrer, Faheem Majeed, Damon Lamar Reed, and Tonika Lewis Johnson. 

I am so honored to have served as a co-coordinator with my friend and colleague, Libya Doman, for this year’s convention. We are looking forward to discussing all the exciting happenings both during the conference and around the city alongside our IAEA colleagues. Join us this Thursday afternoon online as we share all things NAEA convention and Chicago!

Register Here : NAEA Open Studio Conversation | Convention 101: Navigating the NAEA26 Experience

A look back...12/31/23

Here we are on the precipice of a new chapter, I want to reflect on the profound symphony of artistic growth, friendships and opportunities that defined 2023. 

                                                                                                   Alicia Eggert

 I will carry forward into 2024 the lessons learned and the inspirations gleaned from this year. May the echoes of artistic growth continue to resonate, driving me to push the boundaries of my creativity and explore new territories. 

The support system built among kindred spirits has been a source of strength, propelling me to keep pushing myself. Being part of the School for Art Leaders is proving to be a rich growing experience.  Reminding me it is important to broaden horizons and grow my circles. 

 

In the crucible of collaboration ideas find new dimensions. The Artist Teacher Exhibition highlighted the many ways artist collaborate. It also provided delightful open studio time for artist teachers to come together to make art, laugh and dish. 

 I also had the pleasure this year to give closing remarks for a GMU Student Art Exhibition at NAEA headquarters in Alexandria. It was joyful and heartening to mingle with the next generation of art educators.

In the tapestry of everyday life, inspiration weaves itself seamlessly through the threads of mundane moments and social interactions. 

It is in the shared laughter over morning meetings and coffee, the subtle dance of conversation with strangers in elevators, and the quiet symphony of scenic views along the bike trail and all the other ordinary gestures that the extraordinary takes root. 

Each encounter, however fleeting, becomes a a source of fascination and prompting me to see the beauty in the ebb and flow of the human experience...like that time Elvis came to the dinner party!

Stepping into 2024, I will carry forward the lessons learned and the bonds strengthened in 2023. I look to continue collaborations, flourish friendships, and share more artistic journeys.

Cheers to the friends who stood by us, the fellow makers who inspired us, and the art that binds us all together.

As we bid adieu (was that your starter word for Wordle?) to 2023, let us carry forward the lessons learned and the inspirations gleaned from this remarkable year. Remarkable like Beyonce, Barbie, female voters in Ohio and Taylor Swift, demonstrating the ultimate girl power!

May the echoes of artistic growth continue to resonate, driving  the boundaries of our creativity and explore uncharted territories. This year I am proud that my artwork was included in several exhibitions around the DMV and throughout the postal system...so much mail art! 

Wishing you a year ahead filled with inspiration, creative triumphs, and the enduring warmth of artistic camaraderie. Here's to a future where the arts continue to thrive, shaping a world that values the profound impact of imagination.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

NAEA Member Exhibition 2022

 NAEA received 425 entries during the call for submissions and 80 artworks were jury selected for inclusion. I am so tickled to be included in the exhibition this year!  It is so cool to be a member of an organization that celebrates artmaking and provides an opportunity to showcase its members skills. 

Velvet Grip

View the complete exhibition, here in the NAEA Virtual Gallery.

Founded in 1947, NAEA is the leading professional membership organization exclusively for visual arts, design, and media arts educators. Members include elementary, middle, and high school visual arts educators; college and university professors; university students preparing to be art educators; researchers and scholars; teaching artists; administrators and supervisors; and art museum educators—as well as more than 40,000 students who are members of the National Art Honor Society.

Drawing from an art teacher...

 Today I was presenting at the 2022 NAEA Conference in NYC. The presentation, Print/Paper/Books was a reflection about teaching during the early part of the pandemic and the struggles of isolation... an art teacher in the audience drew this of me and captured one of my quotes...I love this! She left before I could get her name, but it is as if she knew me! I wish I could tell her thank you.